People in Nottingham are thrilled that one of the city's oldest pubs which is an 'institution in its own right' will be reopening under new ownership. Earlier this year the Hand & Heart was placed on the market, after the beloved pub closed in 2022.
The pub on Derby Road is known for being built into the sandstone caves below Nottingham, and has been purchased by the Derbyshire-based Pub People Company. The group already runs The Lion in Basford, The Bunkers Hill and the two Six Barrel Draft Houses in the city centre.
Residents and businesses in the area are excited to see the pub open once again. Gallery worker, Andy Keaton, 58, of Nottingham, said: "The last time I went was around 20 years ago, I haven’t been for a long time.
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“It’s good that we’ve had a lot more re-development on this road, it looks much better than it was before. It was starting to look a bit grim and rundown to say the least."
Furniture restorer, Simon Harrison, 49, of Derbyshire, said: "I know the pub very well, it’s an institution in its own right. It’s about time they made their return, it will bring a lot of people into the area.
“The more life on the street the better. Canning Circus has always been known for having lots of pubs and so it’s not like we’re short of them.
"So anything that lights up the street again is good." Student, Suki Banner, 18, of Sherwood, stated: "It’s really nice to sit inside the cave in the restaurant.
“It smells so nice in there, it sounds weird but because of the caves its quite damp but it’s lovely, they serve really nice food in there as well. We always go for a Sunday roast, I get a nut roast, my family get the lamb."
Suki added: "I go with family but we haven’t been able to go and then we found out it was shut down. It’s really lovely and the food is nice."
Owner of the Mist Rolling Inn pub, Dave Hawyes, 66, of Nottingham, said: "I think it’s good they’re opening up again, it helps us as it will bring more people to the area. We used to go there all the time before it closed.
“We [businesses] are all happy about it, if you take a walk up the road everyone will tell you the same." Owner of the Haunted Museum, Steven Western, 50, of Kimberley, said: "It will be amazing to have them back, especially when we’re at work.”
“Their Sunday roasts were amazing; I remember you used to have to book in advance. If it was to open again, I would want it to be exactly the same as before, it was a really good place to hang out”.
“I would also expect discounts as there is quite the community on Derby Road."
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